Rancid cutting Board

I was recently given a beautiful used wooden butcher block type cutting board. I assume some type of cooking oil was used on it in the past because it has a bad smell. I have scrubbed, used vinegar to no avail. Any thoughts, or should I pitch it and start new?

It may be that cooking oil was used on the board or that it was allowed to sit in water. One should use an oil made specifically for cutting boards, and it should be food safe, as well. In my case I use one for bamboo, and I never put my cutting boards into water. Usually, a well stocked kitchen store carries one or more types of oil for the boards. Here is a website that has some information on caring for them.
http://www.answers.com/topic/cutting-board

If hot water, strong detergent or cleanser, bleach and scrubbing doesn't do it, think about having it surfaced planed or sanded down a little to remove the surface-soaked oil.

I suppose, if you're really determined, that you could sand off the top layer of wood and refinish it. But new boards don't cost that much....

Assuming it won't discolor the board, I'd go with bleach.

I don't know the shape or size of your board, but if you know a woodworker, you could have it planed or sanded for free. I had a cutting board run through a surface planer a few years ago by a neighbor. Five minutes later I had a newly surfaced board.

[Jenise]

I don't know the shape or size of your board, but if you know a woodworker, you could have it planed or sanded for free. I had a cutting board run through a surface planer a few years ago by a neighbor. Five minutes later I had a newly surfaced board.

Great suggestion.

One should use an oil made specifically for cutting boards

It's really a waste of money to buy special cutting board oil, which is mostly/entirely just mineral oil. Much less expensive mineral oil can be found in any pharmacy or the pharmacy section of your favorite department store.

One should use an oil made specifically for cutting boards

It's really a waste of money to buy special cutting board oil, which is mostly/entirely just mineral oil. Much less expensive mineral oil can be found in any pharmacy or the pharmacy section of your favorite department store.

w
When I got my new cutting boards, the instructions did say to use mineral oil, but there are different types and some should not be used on cutting boards, so I was told. My husband gave me some mineral oil he had in his workshop and it was years old. I did not like it. Next time I need to buy some oil for my boards, I will see if I can buy the proper mineral oil at the pharmacy.

Mike said:

Assuming it won't discolor the board, I'd go with bleach.

Listen to the chemist...